21 Hours of TV 2011 Fall Preview (Monday)

Welcome to the 5th annual 21 hours of TV Fall preview. Everyday this week we will look at the current day of the week and what will be on that night (Friday, we will look at the weekend). It's my self imposed task every year to limit my TV viewing each week to 21 hours (14 without commercials, just so you understand I'm not as addicted as you think.). In going through the daily schedules I will rate each show red, blue, or green. Green means I will be watching (at least initially), blue that I won't but I won't hold it against you if you do, and red that I refuse to believe anyone of sound mind could be interested. At the end of the week I will add my total hours up and cut what I need in order to get down to the required 21, which won't include the 3 hours every week I peek through my fingers to see if the Detroit Lions have learned what this thing called "Football" is supposed to look like.

Oh one more thing.  Each day I will pick one or two "MUST" shows that in my humble opinion should be an automatic DVR add for all members of the human race. 

Monday

The big news on Monday is the move of "The Sing Off" to a fall premiere show.  Personally I think this is a mistake even though I adore the show.  There is already enough "singing talent show" fatigue with The X-Factor debuting and slotting The Sing Off over the winter break seemed to allow it to stand out.  Maybe I'm just frustrated that it's only day one and I have to spend 2 of my limited hours on it.  But spend them I will, cause it's a killer show. Side Note: It's interesting that Nicole Scherzinger left judging Sing Off to judge for The X-Factor and now the shows will be competing.  Doesn't mean much to me anyway, I'll be watching The Sing Off for Ben Fold's observations, and The X-Factor for Mr. Cowell's.  Nicole was never part of the equation anyway.

Other than that the night has two of the best hours on TV with House and Castle, whose leading men (Hugh and Nathan) are a joy to watch (even if it does feel like House's trials and tribulations may be stretching the premise of the show thin very shortly.)

I should also admit I'm fairly curious to see how 2 and a half men handles having Ashton Kutcher around, but not curious enough to actually turn the channel there and find out.

One final note.  Can we please just all agree to change the name of Dancing with the Stars to something a little more intellectually honest?  I'm not sure which is more offensive, that they call these people "stars" or that they call what they do "dancing".  How about, "Dance Lessons with People Who You May Have Heard Of Once."?  No?  I'm open to suggestions.

MUST:  HOUSE, CASTLE

The color coded breakdown:

8PM

ABC - Dancing with the Stars

CBS - How I Met Your Mother

CW - Gossip Girl

Fox - Terra Nova

NBC - The Sing-Off

8:30PM

CBS - 2 Broke Girls

9PM

CBS - Two and a Half Men

CW - Heart of Dixie

Fox - House

9:30PM

CBS - Mike & Molly

10PM

ABC - Castle

CBS - Hawaii Five-O

NBC - The Playboy Club

Monday's total: Three 1 hour dramas, zero comedies, One 2 hour reality = 5 hours today, 5 hours total.